Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 252 The Emperor is Old (Part )

The dim morning light hit the window frame and reflected onto the bed in the inner hall of Yidong Palace.

Li Chengqian blinked slightly, regained consciousness, and became sober.

Turning sideways, he glanced at Wei Wei, who was sleeping soundly in a white tube top with her head resting on his arm. Her peaceful appearance made people feel a little pity for her.

No one knew who said what to her, but Wei Wei, who had been making a fuss all night, just wanted a child, and Li Chengqian had no choice but to satisfy her.

Calmly watching her sweet expression that she inadvertently revealed, Li Chengqian felt relieved, then he gently stepped forward and kissed her charming dimple.

"Your Highness!" Wei Wei opened her eyes dazedly, her dark pupils looking at Li Chengqian weakly, and said, "Your Highness, what time is it?"

"Don't worry about the time. Just continue to rest. I'm leaving soon. I'm leaving for Luoyang today, so I need to leave early." Li Chengqian patted her fair arm and prepared to stand up. Wei Wei was stunned for a moment, then immediately sat up and said to Li Chengqian, "Let me help Your Highness change his clothes."

Li Chengqian looked at her cautious expression and nodded, saying, "Okay, when I return from Luoyang, we'll go see your father. I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to go over."

"Okay!" Wei Wei smiled immediately.

……

Outside Chunming Gate, above the Wei River.

Li Chengqian stopped on the river bank on his horse. Behind him, Yang Shidao, Yu Zhining, Zhang Xuansu, Ma Zhou, Qiu Xingyan, Changsun Xiang, Yang Wulian and others all looked at the flat-bottomed boat that was disguised as an ordinary ship, even the sides and masts were installed.

The sides of these flat-bottomed boats, as well as the masts, can be removed at the back.

The reason they installed it today is because they want to take advantage of the northwest wind in winter and rush to Luoyang as soon as possible.

By the way, we tested the stability of these boats at the Hukou section of the Yellow River.

When they reach Tongguan, they will load the sheepskin bags and then rush into the Yellow River from the Weishui River. If they can successfully pass this checkpoint, then their boats can be fully used for crossing the river.

After all, they had never conducted a real impact test before, and now they could only test it on the Yellow River.

"If it works, these ships can be converted into transport ships at critical moments." Li Chengqian couldn't help but sigh.

"That's what will happen after we take over the entire Liaodong region." Yang Shidao nodded in agreement.

The pontoon bridge is only one of the functions of these ships. Once the Tang Dynasty successfully takes Liaodong, the role of the pontoon bridge will be reduced.

Even more pontoon bridges can be built using small boats.

In this way, these ships were freed up and could be used to attack Goguryeo's homeland.

Attacking Goguryeo's homeland was something the emperor had never done in his previous life.

The first time he attacked Liaodong, he stopped at Beisha City. After that, although he prepared to lead the army three times in person, they were all interrupted for various reasons.

Even before the third preparation was completed, he fell ill and died.

Li Chengqian raised his head, looked towards Luoyang, and said to himself: Father, I will definitely help you fulfill your wish and let you fight your way into Goguryeo and reach the city of Pingyao.

"Gee!" Li Chengqian swung the reins violently, and the next moment, he rushed towards Tongguan.

Countless cavalrymen followed closely behind him, with flags waving and spears like a forest.

There was indifference in his eyes.

……

As night fell, the city of Luoyang was filled with silence.

After the curfew, only the Jinwu Guards were patrolling the long street.

At this time, no one else was allowed to walk on the street, otherwise they would be immediately arrested and imprisoned.

If you don't heed the warning and continue running around, you will be shot after two empty strings and the third one.

However, everything is different tonight. The emperor has issued an edict that anyone who appears on the street today and escapes will be captured and killed immediately without warning.

On the west side of Tianjin Bridge, above the water, following Li Daliang's order, dozens of flat-bottomed boats appeared above the water.

Although it is a flat-bottomed boat, it does not have any cabin and the deck is almost entirely close to the water surface.

A flat-bottomed boat was in place on the north bank of Tianjin Bridge. Four craftsmen immediately stepped forward, used iron chains to build two circular hooks at the stern of the boat, and quickly pulled it to the shore.

Immediately afterwards, two strong men picked up a five-foot-long conical iron pillar and nailed the iron chain deeply into the ground.

The first punt was completely secured.

Immediately afterwards, the second flat-bottomed boat was rowed in front of the first flat-bottomed boat, with its stern docked with the other's bow.

A large iron pin locked them tightly.

Then one ship after another docked head to tail.

In just half an hour, a simple yet sturdy floating bridge was formed.

The emperor stood on the shore and saw this scene. He couldn't help but sigh: "If Yang Guang had this floating bridge back then, Mai Tiezhang would not have died on the other side."

General Mai Tiezhang of the Right Guard was a rough and unruly man who loved drinking. He liked making friends and valued loyalty and trust.

He also had a good relationship with Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan, and even Li Shimin had met Mai Tiezhang several times at his home.

But unfortunately, he died.

"If there had been a floating bridge like this back then, Yang Guang's three expeditions to Goguryeo wouldn't have ended in failure, and the world wouldn't be our Tang Dynasty today." Li Chengqian paused briefly, then bowed to Li Shimin and said, "Father, this proves that our Tang Dynasty has been granted the mandate of heaven. Your Majesty, this journey will surely bring about the annihilation of Goguryeo, surpassing Yang Guang and achieving unparalleled achievements."

"Hahaha!" The emperor couldn't help but burst into laughter. He turned to look at Li Chengqian, nodded with satisfaction, and said, "The prince has also learned to speak nicely."

"I'm telling the truth." Li Chengqian bowed slightly and said, "If your Majesty doesn't believe me, ask the ministers. How is our Tang Dynasty not destined to be the Mandate of Heaven?" The ministers dared not say a word and all bowed and said, "The Tang Dynasty is destined to be the Mandate of Heaven. Your Majesty, the Mandate of Heaven is the Mandate of Heaven. May Your Majesty live forever, and the Tang Dynasty will endure forever."

"Okay, stop talking nice." Li Shimin turned around, looked at the floating bridge in front of him, and said, "Come on, cross the river."

"Yes!" Li Daliang bowed again, followed by thousands of soldiers who stepped onto the pontoon bridge one after another, crossing the Luo River slowly and steadily.

Following them were thousands of cavalrymen riding their war horses.

Although the warhorse slowed down because it was unfamiliar with the place, it quickly increased its speed after adapting a little and soon passed the pontoon bridge completely.

Seeing this scene, the emperor nodded slowly.

After thinking for a moment, he looked at Li Daliang and said, "Move a small catapult down from the city wall. Oh, and get a few crossbows."

When the ministers around saw this scene, their eyes lit up.

If the small catapults and Fuyuan crossbows can stably launch stones and crossbows on the pontoon bridge, it means that they can break through the Goguryeo defense line more easily.

It turns out that it is feasible.

The pontoon bridge can fully withstand the recoil of small catapults and crossbows.

Everyone who saw this scene couldn't help but feel their scalps tingling. In this way, they could exert great power even on the boat.

Even if the front floating bridge is burned, the ones behind it will be able to provide stable resistance and will not be collapsed by another attack.

What's more, some military generals were already thinking about how to use these things to severely harm the Goguryeo people.

The emperor was very excited and then he personally directed the movement. The flat-bottomed boats separated in the shortest time and then reunited to form a floating bridge again.

After finishing all this, Li Shimin turned to look at Li Chengqian, nodded with satisfaction and said, "Your Highness has done a great job."

"This is what I, your son, should do." Li Chengqian bowed seriously.

Li Shimin smiled, looked at Zhangsun Wuji who was standing beside him, and said, "Alright, let's disperse. Everyone go back and rest. We will hold a grand court in three days. After that, we will send troops to Goguryeo."

"Yes!" All the ministers around bowed solemnly.

……

Li Chengqian stood at the Chengtian Gate and bowed to the emperor.

Only after seeing the emperor completely disappear inside Chengtian Gate and the gate closed again did Li Chengqian walk towards the East Palace.

As soon as I returned to the East Palace, Wang Youlan, a disciple of Chengze, had already walked out of Chengze Hall.

"Your Highness!" Wang Youlan bowed happily.

When she was in Chang'an, there were many people in the Eastern Palace, and she might not be able to see Li Chengqian once a day. However, this time when Li Chengqian returned to Luoyang, he took her with him, and only her, just as he had said to her that day.

Now she is the only mistress in Luoyang Palace.

Li Chengqian looked at Wang Youlan, smiled softly, and said, "Let's go, my beloved concubine. Please help me change my clothes and rest."

"Yes!" Wang Youlan bowed, then walked over and hugged Li Chengqian's arm, and walked happily into the hall.

Before he knew it, it was already three o'clock in the morning, and Li Chengqian slowly opened his eyes.

Wang Youlan clung tightly to his arms, wearing only a thin mandarin duck undergarment.

Under the quilt was the delicate body that Li Chengqian was already very familiar with.

Although he did not lose her virginity, every part of her body was kept secret from him.

Li Chengqian raised his head and looked out the window at the dim palace lanterns hanging under the eaves.

Recalling today on the banks of the Luo River, Li Chengqian did not see Li Zhi.

After Li Zhi returned to Taiyuan, he was still in the adaptation stage.

So this time the emperor did not call him.

The most important thing was that when the troops set out three days later, Li Zhi was not in Luoyang City.

The emperor is on an eastern expedition and will not be back for at least a year, and it may even take two years. He will not be able to see Li Zhi for two years.

Now Li Chengqian finally understood what the emperor said that day after Li Zhi's wedding. He would see Li Chengqian and Li Zhi less and less in the future.

It turned out to be the case.

Li Chengqian sighed softly.

The emperor is old, and it is feasible to conquer Liaodong, but the cold weather in the northeast will cause his health problems to erupt.

The deeper you go into Goguryeo, the more this is true.

Once he returns to the court due to illness, not only Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Li Zhi, Li Ke, and even Li Yuanjing, but also countless other enemies hiding in invisible corners will jump out.

Tempt, provoke, alienate, covet power, and control power.

Father, since you can't suppress it, let me do it for you.

I will fully support you in your campaign against Goguryeo in Chang'an.

The deeper the better.

The longer the better.

(End of this chapter)